 | Prince Harry's polo-playing appearance on Governors Island Photo: John Minchillo for BizBash |
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Polo is not typically played within the bounds of New York City. In fact, until last year the horseback game hadn't been played here for more than 70 years. But on Saturday, on an open grassy area of Governors Island, Veuve Clicquot brought back its Manhattan Polo Classic, this time with Prince Harry playing. The third in line to the British throne ended his first official U.S. visit with an afternoon of polo at the event, which also raised funds for the American Friends of Sentebale, a charity he co-founded in 2006.
Drawing crowds by the thousands—from Governor David Paterson, LL Cool J, Chloe Sevigny, and Madonna to local and British press as well as members of the public—the daylong event coincided with the opening of Governors Island for the 2009 season. Starting with a champagne welcome and opening remarks from Moët Hennessy U.S.A. president and C.E.O. Mark Cornell, Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso of Lesotho, and Prince Harry, the festivities involved a formal luncheon for V.I.P.s, a flag procession, an hourlong match, and a half-time divot stomp, and culminated with a prize ceremony.
To plan, produce, manage, and coordinate all the logistics involved with the presence of two royals as well as the transportation of equipment, power generators, and polo ponies, the Moët Hennessy team of senior vice president of communications Andrée Corroon, senior brand manager Aisha Thompson, associate brand manager Hannah Castro, and director of media services Christina Monaco, brought on Leane Romeo and the team at Overland Entertainment Company.
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Veuve Clicquot, Moët Hennessey, Ralph Lauren Fragrances, American Friends of Sentebale, St. Regis New York, Piaget, Aston Martin |